Zac Poonen - Set The Lord Always Before You

Zac PoonenAugust 12, 202453mWatch on YouTube

In this collectionZac Poonen379 messages

Speaker: Zac Poonen Title: Set The Lord Always Before You Date: 08/11/2024 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

Zac Poonen teaches that spiritual growth involves two essential steps: first, receiving assurance of Christ's forgiveness, and second, actively pursuing freedom from sin and growth toward Christ-likeness. He emphasizes that churches must minister to believers at all levels of spiritual maturity, warns against complacency in sin, and stresses the seriousness of deliberate disobedience, particularly regarding temptation through internet use and other harmful habits.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

The assurance of salvation for new believersNew believers can have complete assurance of their acceptance by Jesus based on his promise that he will never cast out anyone who comes to him.John 6:37

Pressing on from forgiveness to victoryChristians should not spend decades stuck in a repetitive cycle of sinning and being forgiven, but must press on toward holiness and overcoming sin.

Taking sinful habits seriouslyBelievers must not play the fool with sin or take harmful habits lightly, as the Bible warns that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Developing an awareness of God's presencePracticing the presence of God throughout daily life and during church gatherings keeps believers from sinning and brings genuine reverence and awe.

Fixing our eyes on JesusInstead of looking inward and falling into depression or self-pity, believers must run the race by fixing their eyes on Jesus and the cross he endured.

The secret of godliness in the fleshJesus came in the flesh, was tempted in every way like us, and overcame without sin, providing the secret of godliness for those who desire to live a holy life.1 Timothy 3:16

The call to overcome as Christ overcameJesus invites believers in the church to overcome sin just as he overcame and won the victory, promising that overcomers will sit with him on his throne.Revelation 3:21

Recognizing our spiritual bankruptcy as zerosGod gives his Holy Spirit to those who are desperately needy and come to the end of themselves, realizing they are an absolute zero without Christ.

Beginning every day in communion with your fatherBelievers should develop the intimate habit of spending quiet time talking with their heavenly Father in bed right after waking up each morning.

Setting the Lord always before usFollowing the example of Jesus and the prophecy of David, believers must set the Lord always before them so their hearts are glad and they will not be shaken.Acts 2:23–25

Practicing future forgiveness and letting go of grudgesChristians should maintain an attitude of complete forgiveness toward others by forgiving people in advance for any future wrongs they may commit.Matthew 12:32

The warning from the church in EphesusDespite receiving years of thorough teaching and preaching from the Apostle Paul, the Ephesian church eventually backslid and left its first love for Christ.

The second letter to EphesusIn Revelation, the Lord warns the Ephesian leader that despite their activity and correct doctrine, they had abandoned their initial fervent love for Jesus.

A love that cannot be quenchedGod places a divine fire of love in the believer's heart that is so powerful that even the floods and waters of the world cannot quench it.

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Zac Poonen - Set The Lord Always Before You

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